UPDATE: This is the MPVA Carvan. Read more about it below.

A caravan of 50 or so old flatties (mostly military) with license plates from a variety of states was spotted heading down the new Legacy Highway (the new north/south alternative to I-15) in Utah yesterday.

A reader named George pointed me to the MPVA website to answer the questions of who, what, where and why.

From the MPVA Website, “As part of its mission to honor our country’s military vehicle history, the MVPA has decided to recreate the famous 1919 Convoy in 2009 as a 90th Anniversary celebration of the achievement and in conjunction with the nation’s President Lincoln Bicentennial celebration.

This is a Convoy of historic military vehicles – of all eras, from WWI through to current-issue military vehicles. The vehicle roster currently includes WWI “FWD” cargo trucks, through to Harley Davidson WLA motorcycles, staff cars and jeeps to later model M813 5-ton cargo trucks. ”

Learn more about this ongoing convey from the MPVA website.  The Convoy should be arriving in San Francisco on July 8th.

My kids and I were visiting my Aunt in Seattle yesterday where she owns a houseboat (in this case, defined as literally a house built on floating logs or concrete blocks with trapped air) on Lake Union in Seattle.  My son wanted to go rowing, so we climbed into a row boat and checked out some of the local scenery. We hadn’t gone more than two docks of boats when I spotted this boat named JEEP tied up to a local houseboat.  How could I resist taking a picture of it?

For those movie fans who liked Sleepless in Seattle, it is a couple houseboats to the left of this picture (it is not pictured).

The Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union is sponsoring a 2009 Woodward Dream Cruise Calender Contest, along with the Oakland Press, The Macomb Daily and Daily Tribune.  As a part of this contest, the group has developed a website where readers can vote for the cars they want to see on the new Calendar.

A reader pointed to this contest out to me via a craigslist ad.  The Ad shows a Willys Jeep and asks people to vote for the jeep.  So far, so good.  I’m into it.

I’m ready to launch a grassroots campaign.  I’ll encourage, prod and poke people to cast their votes for the jeep.  We can do it.  We can get it on the calendar.

My hopes high, I go to the actual contest.  I view the approved list of 72 vehicles.  Cool, lots of nice vehicles.

But then, I spot the jeep.  It’s listed as a 1948 M-38A1.  It’s such a classic, that it was never produced!  How can this be?  Oh the horror!  I mean, this isn’t just some kind of incorrect listing of a jeep for sale; instead, it is supposed to be a list of classic cars.

Well, I just can’t support that.  So, until the correct model gets listed, I can’t vote for it.

As a part of Jim’s effort to meet the parts needs for early jeep owners, I’m planning on building a section that highlights various smaller vendors who create useful products for jeeps.

Examples of these include:

• Jim’s Seat Covers (along with his expanding product selection as it grows)
• Rod Shaver’s MV Dataplates (http://www.mvdataplates.com/)
• Jeep Books (http://www.jeepbooksales.com/jeepbooks.html)
• Stainless Steel Parts (Brian & Troy)
• Fiberglass bodys

If anyone has any other suggestions, send them my way.

Thanks,

– Dave

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $800

“Willy’s 1952 jeep, low Hood Flat Fender Jeep.  Buick small block V8 300 cub, power steering and full roll cage”

The ad makes it sounds like a lot of parts, but the pictures don’t suggest a lot of parts.  Still, it might be worth a peek if you are nearby.

“lots of Jeep parts, Grills, radiators, wheels, transmissions, engine, manifolds, starters and more. $250.00 takes it all! 719-337-9088”

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/pts/1209549329.html

It appears the rolling chassis has been thoroughly cleaned and painted.  I can’t tell how much work is left on the body.

“Needs put together have all psrts call 352 895 2563 can deliver”

http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/1203040230.html

A reader noted that according to Novak, a GM 4.3 Liter V-6 is too tall to easily fit into a low hood flatfender without modifying the hood.  Now, I know this isn’t true as I’ve seen flatties with the engine installed.

Does anyone have any experience or advice about installing a GM V-6 into a flattie?  I have not done it myself.

Here’s some additional information I dug up on the web:

• According to this thread, someone else read the same thing (that novak says the 4.3 liters won’t fit) http://www.greatlakes4×4.com/showthread.php?p=1567991.
• Here’s a builder who swapped a 3.8l buick for a 4.3liter, having to rework the steering in the process .. http://www.4×4wire.com/jeep/tech/steer/pieces02/

I always love maps.  I even use them once in a while.  The maps at this blog, Strangemaps, are, well, all over the map in their purposes, usefulness, and creativity.

The other day I ran across this ‘Best Beer‘ map.  Having lived in Utah, and still fond of the state, I was sure it would rank as pretty dry state, but given it’s population, the map suggests it holds its own pretty well (though there are some good beers there, producers are limited to beers with 3.2% alcohol).  Despite this hurdle, companies like Wasatch Beers, with slogans like ‘bring some home to the wives’ and beers such as ‘Polygamy Porter‘ (Why just have one?), are popular around the Salt Lake Valley.